9. Norv Turner Keeps It Grounded

It's really hard to believe that Norv Turner is still employed as the San Diego Chargers head coach and will be in 2012, considering that his club has underachieved in recent times.

That is partially due to the players but also due to Turner's lack of inspiration. He may be a nice guy, but he isn't exactly someone who can rally the troops.

His most glaring mistake in 2011 came in an overtime contest against the Broncos in Week 12. As the Chargers offense got into the outer reaches of field-goal range, Turner decided to call three straight run plays, rather than let Philip Rivers try to throw the ball and potentially get closer.

The result was a 53-yard field-goal attempt that missed. Denver went on to win on the next possession.

7. Starting Donovan McNabb

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When the Washington Redskins made Donovan McNabb available for other clubs, the Minnesota Vikings figured they could revive the veteran's career.

Instead of going forth with first-round pick Christian Ponder, head coach Leslie Frazier believed McNabb was the answer. That possibility was shot down with No. 5's poor showings over the course of the first five games.

McNabb and the Vikes went 1-4, a record that could have easily been equaled if the rookie had been behind center.

5. Palko Instead of Orton

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The 2011 campaign for the Kansas City Chiefs started as a disaster. First came the 41-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Then came a 48-3 drubbing by the Detroit Lions. During those embarrassing defeats, they lost key players.

A few weeks later, quarterback Matt Cassel went down for the season. That left it up to backup Tyler Palko, who was less than qualified.

On Nov. 23, K.C. claimed Kyle Orton off waivers, but head coach Todd Haley didn't utilize the former Bronco starter.

In fact, it wasn't until Dec. 18 against Green Bay (when Romeo Crennel was the interim coach) that Orton was at the top of the depth chart.

4. Letting David Garrard Go

The Jacksonville Jaguars traded a first- and second-round pick in order to move up to the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. For that selection, they took Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

It was a given that the Jags were looking to the future and planning to have Gabbert be their QB for years to come.

Gabbert would have greatly benefited from having a capable veteran like David Garrard show him the ropes. Instead, head coach Jack Del Rio and the club's brass decided on cutting ties with Garrard just days prior to the start of the regular season.

Without much guidance from a player who has had quality experience, Gabbert (who took the starting role in Week 3) struggled mightily through his first pro season, and Del Rio was fired in late November.

2. Jason Garrett Ices Own Kicker

In recent years, coaches have made a habit of calling a timeout just prior to the opposing kicker getting ready to attempt a crucial field goal.

Jason Garrett tried a different, more dubious method.

In Arizona, with eight seconds left and the clock stopped, the Cowboys were at the Cardinal 31 in a 13-13 affair. As the play clock ran down and his field-goal kicker Dan Bailey was lining up for a potentially game-winning try, Garrett called a timeout.

Yes, he iced his own kicker.

Bailey continued to follow through and made the faux field goal.

On take two, Bailey missed. The Cardinals won in overtime, and the Cowboys eventually missed out on the postseason by a single game.

1. Mike Smith's Fourth-Down Gamble

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The NFC South (and the fate of both teams) may have been decided on this play.

After his Atlanta Falcons rallied from a 10-point deficit to send their Week 10 contest with the New Orleans Saints into overtime, head coach Mike Smith's club received the ball first in the extra session.

Three plays yielded just nine yards. At their own 29, Smith risked scrutiny and went for it on fourth down.

Running back Michael Turner was stonewalled by the Saints defense, and Atlanta turned the ball over. It also all but ended the game.

John Kasay officially concluded it by kicking a 26-yard field goal to hand the Falcons a defeat that likely affected the playoff picture.